Maximizing Your In-Country Value (ICV) Score: A Strategic Guide for UAE Businesses

Assist Plus
4 days ago
3 min read

The In-Country Value (ICV) program is one of the UAE’s most powerful national initiatives, aimed at strengthening the economy through local hiring, domestic investment, and the development of resilient supply chains.

For many organizations, ICV certification is not merely a compliance exercise—it’s a gateway to greater opportunities in government and semi-government tenders. However, since ICV scores are derived from the previous year’s audited financials, businesses can only achieve substantial improvements with a forward-looking strategy.

This article explores key strategies to enhance your ICV score, build organizational resilience, and align your growth with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.

1. Strategic Workforce Planning

Employment of UAE nationals remains a major contributor to ICV scoring. To achieve sustainable gains:

Recruit Emiratis for pivotal and leadership roles.
Introduce structured training and upskilling programs.
Partner with UAE universities to create internship and talent pipelines.

Impact: Improved ICV score and a skilled, future-ready workforce that supports Emiratization goals.

2. Optimizing Local Procurement

ICV certification rewards companies that prioritize local suppliers and service providers. To optimize procurement practices:

Establish long-term contracts with UAE-based vendors.
Shift procurement of key goods and services to local providers.
Collaborate with domestic businesses in logistics, technology, and support services.

Impact: Strengthened local supply chain resilience and enhanced ICV contribution.

3. Enhancing Local Manufacturing and Assembly

Companies engaged in production can significantly improve their ICV score by increasing local operations:

Introduce in-country assembly or partial manufacturing.
Source raw materials and components locally.
Invest in UAE-based R&D facilities to foster innovation.

Impact: Higher local value addition, increased ICV percentage, and stronger market positioning.

4. Expanding Local Investments

Financial investments within the UAE have a direct impact on ICV scoring. Businesses can:

Establish or expand headquarters, branches, and facilities locally.
Fund sustainability, innovation, or community initiatives within the UAE.
Reinvest profits into domestic growth rather than offshore holdings.

Impact: Greater financial contribution to the UAE economy and improved ICV ranking.

5. Strengthening Financial Metrics

ICV assessment heavily weighs a company’s financial footprint in the UAE. Key actions include:

Retaining a higher share of revenue within the country.
Reducing overseas spending.
Partnering with UAE-based banks and financial institutions.

Impact: A more robust local economic contribution and improved scoring potential.

6. Local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

CSR plays an influential role in ICV evaluations when directed locally. Businesses can:

Support education, training, or sustainability programs.
Collaborate with government-backed social development projects.
Partner with local NGOs and community initiatives.

Impact: Enhanced corporate reputation and incremental ICV score improvements.

7. Leveraging Technology and Innovation

Innovation and digital transformation are key pillars of the UAE Vision 2030. Companies can strengthen ICV impact by:

Implementing digital tools to enhance UAE operations.
Investing in smart technologies that improve efficiency and sustainability.
Partnering with local IT and tech startups.

Impact: Improved operational efficiency, innovation capability, and long-term ICV competitiveness.

8. Conducting Regular ICV Strategy Reviews

Given the dynamic nature of ICV guidelines, consistent reviews are essential. Companies should:

Conduct annual ICV audits and performance assessments.
Adjust strategies to align with regulatory updates.
Engage certified ICV consultants in the UAE for continuous improvement.

Impact: Ongoing compliance and sustained competitive advantage in ICV-driven tenders.

Moving Forward

Because ICV results are derived from the previous year’s audited financials, immediate score changes are often limited. The key lies in planning and implementing improvements proactively—well before the next audit cycle.

How Assist Plus Can Help

At Assist Plus, we help organizations design and implement tailored ICV Improvement Plans that align with their business model, sector, and growth objectives.

Our experienced consultants ensure that:

Your strategies align with national economic goals.
Your business maximizes its tender eligibility and competitiveness.
Long-term sustainability and regulatory compliance are embedded in your operations.

Start your ICV journey today. Contact Assist Plus to explore how we can help your organization unlock its full ICV potential and strengthen its position within the UAE economy.